42 



ascertained. In box A put ^ litre ( about 1 oz., or a tablespoonful) 

 in B, -^o litre (= about 2 oz., or two tablespoonsful) ; in C and D 

 J litre (= about 8J oz., or If gills). 



As it is so important to put in the right quantity, it is better to make 

 use of the measure, which can be obtained from the manufacturers, 

 and is well adapted for filling in the mixture. For box A fill it once, 

 for B twice, and for C and D ten times. 



On the whole, in consideration of w r hat we have said above, it is 

 wiser to follow the rule : " Better too little than too nmch." 



The boxes should only be cleaned in order to remove sparrows' 

 broods, eggs and larvce of insects, squirrels, dormice, dead birds, etc. ; 

 otherwise it is unnecessary to clean the boxes ; as a rule, it would 

 have a disturbing effect, besides which it is often impossible to carry 

 it out e.g., in cases where the boxes are hung high up and in great 

 numbers. 



With regard to hanging up the boxes we must consider (1) the 

 season ; (2) the position ; (3) the method of hanging them up. 



1. The late autumn is the most favourable TIME for hanging them 

 up, so that the birds that winter with us may find shelter there. But 

 these nesting-boxes can be put up during the whole winter, till March, 

 with a good chance of success. Boxes put up later are very rarely 

 inhabited in the same year. 



2. With regard to the POSITION, the most useful are as follows : 

 Boxes A and Al should be from 6 to 13 feet from the ground, on trees, 

 props, walls, etc., in orchards, woods, and plantations, especially in 

 young plantations, in a quiet spot protected somewhat by bushes, 

 and if possible hidden by overhanging branches.* 



Box A is for great tit, blue tit, marsh-tit, crested tit, coal-tit, tree- 

 creeper, pied fly-catcher, wryneck, common redstart, lesser spotted 

 woodpecker. Box Al is for blue tit, marsh-tit, coal-tit, crested tit^ 

 and for these only, and they are perfectly safe from sparrows, and 

 should therefore be used everywhere where sparrows are troublesome. 



* If there is any fear of injuring young trees by knocking in nails, the boxes 

 should be fastened to posts. In young plantations where there are no nesting- 

 holes, it is both easy and desirable to bring about a settlement of very useful 

 birds in this fashion." Boxes fixed at a distance of about 3 feet from the ground 

 are inhabited by tits, as may be seen at Seebach. These low-hung boxes have 

 this advantage, that they are neglected by the sparrows. This method can only 

 bo recommended where there are no vermin. 



